Ocean of Sound Paperback – June 1, 2001

I’m behind on my reading, but I like how it looks.

Thoroughly researched and as such it is hard to integrate all the information. Requires time and attention

First of all, this book has very little to do with ambient music. Author touches on it a little here and there but mostly its just a random collection of music he’s listened to recently or snippets of interviews he had in the long distant past which are inserted where he can. Second, much of this book makes zero sense. I tried desperately to get value from this book, but his stream-of-consciousness style of writing does not belong in non-fiction writing when it’s not an autobiography. Third, the author is extremely long-winded and overly wordy, to the point that whatever he was trying to get at with a particular sentence ends up just being an abstract thought not grounded in reality. AT FIRST GLANCE, the book’s index is full of interesting musicians and musical groups, leading you to believe they are discussed in the text...until you realize it is a trick by the author (he finishes many chapters buy rattling off the 10+ of these names with no context whatsoever). Never seen someone do this before just to fill up the book’s index to make it look impressive. Needless to say, I would not recommend. There are many, many good music books out there. This is not one of them.

Like ambient music itself, this book is an immersive read.

I love David Toop and any work he's involved in. From music to academic writing, this guy knows his stuff. He's very well versed in music and has done his research thoroughly you can tell.. He has a unique way of explaining sound and its magic, definitely grab any books he's written on the subject of sound.

Hard to imagine better music criticism than this. Supremely informed, lithe, surprising and always rewarding writing.

Interesting perspective.

Highly recommended!

What an astonishing book. David Toop’s restless agility takes the reader on an amazing journey down winding paths and switchbacks. So much more than a survey of electronic music. The author delights in sharing personal and considered insights in a book that explores the political, sociological and psychological avenues that explain great artists and music creations. You don’t hvr to be as clever as Toop to enjoy this book but you will feel cleverer after reading. Hugely informative, thought provoking and inspiring. A great read and one of the best music books of recent times.

My music teacher recommended this book but I didn't get on with it so much.The book covers a lot of ground and if you don't already know your music and music history you won't learn much. David uses words [I think] to reflect how music makes him feel. He doesn't describe the music or explain what he's doing or where he's going so if you don't pick up on it (or agree) it's all going to be rather garbled. Sometimes full stops are for other people.I felt David says a lot without telling you anything, explaining anything or justifying anything. And when an author says, 'The first time I met ...,' you know he's showing off. He's clearly well read, uses a lot of quotes but for me the book didn't hang together into a digestible whole.

I love this book. I bought it many years ago when I was living in London, but somewhere along the line, loaned it out & never got it back.I read it not just for the information, but for the ambience of the writing itself. I feel the writer captures much of what I love about "ambient" music, in words - no easy task.For anyone looking for a place to start exploring this ever-morphing and expanding genre, I would highly recommend this book. It's one of the most interesting & enjoyable books about music that I have ever read.

the first couple of chapters really do act as a barrier to what ends up being a thoroughly engaging read.

Pile of pretentious crap. Hardly anything to do with Ambient music, just a random collection of thoughts with no coherent message or analysis.Only recommended if you want to prop up a wobbly table, or need something the light a fire with.